Vinod Mankara has churned out over 600 documentaries, including a National award-winning one on occultism in 2003. He is as busy as ever these days, serving as a jury member at the Cochin International Film Fest besides preparing for the premiere of his new feature Priyamanasam. Made in Sanskrit, and based on the life and times of 17th century poet, scholar and dramatist Unnayi Warrier, Priyamanasam is the inaugural film at the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of Goa (November 20-30).
Priyamanasam is only the third film to be made in Sanskrit after GV Iyer’s Adi Shankaracharya (1983) and Bhagvad Gita (1993). The movie was rejected by the International Film Festival of Kerala, which will be held from December 4-11 in Thiruvananthapuram. The rejection was unofficially attributed to the film’s “Hindutva” agenda. Mankara has rubbished such allegations, and has appealed to the Centre to help his film get a pan-Indian and international release. In an email interview with Scroll.in, Mankara tells us why his wish to propagate Sanskrit and Kathakali should not be read as pushing any particular ideology.
What inspired you to make Priyamanasam? I am a Kathakali lover and since my childhood had closely observed the colourful art form. More than that, as a journalist and writer, I have penned many articles on Kathakali and Sanskrit poets and their work. In 2008, I made a documentary about the Nalacharitham Kathakali composition and its author Unnayi Warrier. It highlights the fact that this incredibly romantic text is actually the autobiography of its author. Priyamanasam is an extension of this prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam award-winning documentary. It has been my desire to propagate the beauty of the Sanskrit language as well as to pay a cinematic tribute to the great poet Unnayi Warrier.
Who would watch a Sanskrit film? Who is your audience? I have used a lighter version of Sanskrit in my film so that it is easily understood. There is also the colourful element of the Kathakali dance drama and some melodious background music to help understand the language. My film is for both the layman as well as the elite, who know Kathakali and Sanskrit well.
How do you react to allegations that your film is furthering the Hindutva agenda? This is a false notion. My film is not at all connected with any political ideology. My film represents pure art and music. The main character of Priyamanasam is a temple servant. I cannot visualise the scenes in a mosque or in a church. How can you call this Hindutva? It is a foolish thing. One has to understand pure art in the correct sense.
So why did the IFFK jury reject your film? Because the jury appointed by the Kerala Chalachithra Academy is unprofessional. The least they could do is consider the fact that a Sanskrit film has been made after 22 years! Thankfully, the Indian Panorama at IFFI has considered the effort taken to create this history.
How challenging was it to convince someone to finance the film? Getting a producer for a Sanskrit film is very difficult. This is because there is considerable doubt over whether the film will get a good enough distributor and exhibitor to get released. It is difficult to market such films. I had initially planned to go for group funding, but it did not work out. Eventually I convinced Baby Mathew Somatheeram, who runs an ayurvedic business in Kerala and is a patron of the arts, to fund the project.
What is next after IFFI? We have reached out to international film festivals and have received invitations from USA, Germany and some Gulf countries. We also plan to screen the film in some of the universities where Sanskrit is taught.
